SCALING

Teeth Cleaning (Scaling): How Often, and Does Insurance Cover It?

Name: How often should I get scaling? Is it covered by insurance?
Creator: Ilseop Ahn

Treated by Dr. Ilseop Ahn (board-certified periodontist · specialist in integrated dentistry) · Reviewed by Dr. Ilseop AhnAbout the doctor →

Last reviewed Oct 29, 2026 · Dr. Ilseop Ahn (board-certified periodontist, specialist in integrated dentistry) · Scaling is done by a dental hygienist, and a board-certified periodontist checks your gum condition

At a glance

Good for: Anyone who needs tartar care (NHI covers once a year for ages 19 and over)
Treatment flow: Gum check → Tartar removal → Advice on areas that need gum treatment
Duration and limits: Usually about 30 minutes. Tartar deep under the gums needs separate gum treatment

Details

For healthy gums, we usually recommend scaling once every 6–12 months. If you have had gum disease or have implants, we recommend it every 3–6 months. For adults aged 19 and over enrolled in Korea's National Health Insurance (NHI), one scaling per calendar year (January–December) is covered, with a 30% out-of-pocket share. Scaling removes tartar from the tooth surface and just above and below the gum line. Tartar deep under the gums needs separate gum treatment. At Ceramic Dental Clinic, we also check your gum depth during scaling and tell you if any area needs gum treatment.

01^°

We did not stop at removing tartar

Even with the same scaling, measuring gum depth can change what comes next. Here are two cases with real photos.

CASE01

Thick tartar on the inner side of the lower front teeth

Scaling and surface polishing · Shallow gum depth, so a 1-year care cycle

Mirror photo before scaling: thick yellow tartar along the gum line on the inner side of the lower front teeth — Before scaling. Thick yellow tartar had built up on the inner side of the lower front teeth, near the salivary glands. The thin wire behind the front teeth is a retainer bonded after orthodontic treatment.

Mirror photo right after scaling: the inner side of the lower front teeth is clean and the gaps between teeth are visible — Right after scaling. Removing the tartar revealed the gaps between the teeth. The redness at the gum line is bleeding right after tartar removal. It fades within a few days as the inflammation settles.

Condition: Mostly tartar above the gum line; no areas deep enough to need treatment under the gums
Chosen: Scaling and surface polishing, advice on brushing and interdental brushes
Not done: Treatment under the gums (no deep areas)
Next visit: In 6 months

CASE02

Periodontitis found while measuring gum depth during scaling

Scaling followed by gum treatment · Deep areas treated under the gums after local anesthesia

Side view inside the mouth: the gum around the gold crown on the lower right first molar is circled in yellow, with notes of 8mm gum depth and bleeding — Gum depth measurement. The gums already looked badly inflamed. When measured, the gum depth between the two roots of the lower molar (#46) was 8mm, and it bled during measurement.

Periapical X-ray: bone between the two roots of the lower right first molar has been lost and looks dark and empty — X-ray check. The gum bone between the two roots of the deeply measured molar had been lost and looked dark and empty. We judged it as periodontitis and continued with gum treatment.

Condition: Bleeding when brushing, 8mm gum depth at a lower molar, tooth mobility
Chosen: Treatment under the gums after scaling, then re-evaluation
See more: My gums bleed and my teeth are loose. Can gum treatment save them? →

* Photos were taken under the same conditions and published with the patients' consent. Treatment results and side effects may vary from person to person.

02^°

How many times a year does health insurance cover scaling?

Age 19 and overAge for NHI coverage

Once a yearOnce per calendar year (January–December)

30%Out-of-pocket share

A second scaling in the same year, or scaling under age 19, is not covered.
You can check whether you used it this year at a dental clinic or on the NHIS website or app.
Tartar removal done as part of gum disease treatment may be covered separately from this once-a-year limit.

03^°

How often should you get it? It depends on your gums

01Healthy gums

If your gum depth is shallow and there is no bleeding, we usually recommend once every 6–12 months. If tartar builds up quickly for you, we lean toward 6 months.

02After gum disease treatment

After periodontitis treatment, we usually re-measure gum depth and do maintenance every 3–6 months.

03If you have implants

We check every 6 months after the final crown, or every 3 months if you have had gum disease, smoke, have diabetes, or have several implants, and clean them at the same time.

04During orthodontic treatment

Tartar and plaque build up easily around braces, so we check more often than usual during treatment, usually at intervals of 3 months or less.

We set the interval by gum depth and bleeding, not a fixed number. We will tell you your next interval at your scaling visit.

04^°

How scaling works

Five steps, from the gum check to advice on your next visit. Each step is shown with real treatment photos.

Treatment photo: a dental mirror shows the gum line of the last lower molar to check gum condition — Checking gum condition. Before removing tartar, we first look at gum depth and where the gums bleed.

STEP 01

We check your gums before removing tartar

We check where and how much tartar has built up, whether any areas have deep gum pockets, and where the gums bleed. If you have sensitive teeth, please tell us in advance.

Why we do thisWhere gum depth is over 5mm, scaling alone cannot reach all the tartar. Knowing this in advance lets us decide whether scaling is enough or gum treatment should follow.

Illustration: an ultrasonic tip and water spray break up and remove tartar at the gum line on the inner side of the lower front teeth — Ultrasonic tartar removal. Fine vibration and water break up and remove tartar stuck to the teeth.

STEP 02

We remove tartar with an ultrasonic instrument

A finely vibrating ultrasonic instrument and water break up and remove tartar from the tooth surface and just under the gum line. The vibration noise and water may make your teeth feel sensitive.

Why we do thisTartar is a hard, stone-like deposit that a toothbrush cannot remove, so it must be taken off with instruments. Its rough surface lets plaque stick easily, so if it is left, gum inflammation continues.

Illustration: a hand instrument (curette) placed at the gum line between two molars to check for remaining tartar — Checking for remaining tartar. We recheck hard-to-see areas, such as between teeth and at the back, with a hand instrument.

STEP 03

We recheck between and behind the teeth

With a hand instrument, we go over areas where tartar tends to remain, such as between teeth, behind the molars, and the inner side of the lower front teeth, to make sure none is left.

Why we do thisTartar grows back from even one remaining piece. The harder an area is to see, the more carefully we check it again.

Illustration: a rubber polishing cup and polishing paste clean coffee and tea stains near the gum line of the front teeth and smooth the surface — Surface polishing. We reduce coffee and tea stains and smooth the tooth surface so plaque sticks less.

STEP 04

We polish the surface smooth

We polish only where stains remain or the surface is rough. Stains are reduced in part, but the natural color of the teeth does not change.

Why we do thisA rough surface lets plaque stick again quickly. A smooth surface can slow the buildup of new tartar.

Illustration showing how to clean the gum line between molars with an interdental brush — Explanation. We show you where tartar built up most and teach you the brushing and interdental brush technique that suits those spots.

Illustration showing side by side how to angle the toothbrush toward the gum line, and how to hold it upright to clean the inner side of the lower front teeth — Explanation. We show you where tartar built up most and teach you the brushing and interdental brush technique that suits those spots.

STEP 05

We explain your gum condition and your next interval

We explain today's gum depth, where tartar built up most, and the right brushing method, then set your next scaling or check-up based on your gum condition.

Why we do thisTartar builds up again in the same spots. Knowing which spots you miss helps you keep your gums healthy until your next scaling.

* Clinical photos were published with the patients' consent. Side effects such as temporary pain or discomfort may occur depending on the person.

Time needed: usually about 30 minutes

05^°

How is scaling different from gum treatment?

	Scaling	Gum treatment (treatment under the gums)
Depth reached	Tooth surface and just above and below the gum line	Root surfaces deep under the gums
Good for	Regular maintenance, gingivitis	Periodontitis with deepened gum pockets
Anesthesia	Usually not needed	Usually local anesthesia
Visits	Usually 1 visit	Usually split into 2–4 visits, then re-evaluation
Korean National Health Insurance (NHI)	Once a year for ages 19 and over	Mostly covered by NHI
Cost	See the treatment cost guide →

06^°

For these people, other treatment comes first or is also needed

Scaling suits you

You have not had scaling for more than a year
You can see tartar, or your gums bleed when you brush
You have implants and need regular check-ups

Other treatment is also needed

You have tartar deep under the gums: gum treatment is also needed.
Tooth color concerns you: scaling does not change the natural color of teeth, so we will tell you about teeth whitening.

You do not need it right now

You had scaling recently and have no tartar or bleeding: keep up brushing and interdental brushing until your set interval.

07^°

Common misconceptions about scaling

Scaling wears down your teeth · It removes tartar and does not grind the teeth.
After scaling, my teeth became sensitive and gaps appeared · This is because the gums and roots that tartar was covering are now exposed. Sensitivity usually eases within a few days to a few weeks.
If your gums bleed, you should not get scaling · Bleeding is a sign of gum inflammation, and it decreases only when the tartar is removed.

08^°

Self-check

I have not had scaling for more than a yearI see yellow deposits on the inner side of my lower front teethMy gums bleed when I brushI am worried about bad breathI smokeI have implantsI have a lot of coffee or tea stains

If any of these apply, we will also check your gum depth during scaling.

09^°

Side effects and limits

Please read

· Your teeth may feel sensitive or your gums may bleed for a while.

· Gaps between teeth that tartar was hiding may become visible.

· Tartar deep under the gums cannot be fully removed by scaling alone.

· Stains are only partly reduced. This is different from whitening, which changes the natural color of teeth.

FAQ

Does scaling wear down or weaken my teeth?

Scaling removes tartar stuck to your teeth. It does not grind the teeth. Once the tartar is gone, roots or gaps that were hidden can show, so your teeth may feel worn.

How many times a year does Korean health insurance cover scaling?

For people aged 19 and over enrolled in Korea's National Health Insurance, scaling is covered once per calendar year (January–December), with a 30% out-of-pocket share. A second scaling in the same year is not covered.

Living in Korea

Questions from international patients who live in Korea.

Can I use Korean National Health Insurance?

If you are enrolled in Korea's National Health Insurance, insured treatments are billed under the same insurance rules as for other enrollees. Whether a treatment is covered depends on the treatment and the insurance rules, and we tell you before treatment starts. If you are not enrolled, you pay the full fee.

Can I be seen in English?

Yes. The doctor in charge of each field consults with you directly in English, so you do not need an interpreter.

How do I book an appointment?

Message us on WhatsApp. You can also send us an email or call +82-2-517-0002.

I am in Korea only for a short trip. Can I have this treatment?

It depends on how many visits the treatment needs. Tell us your travel dates when you contact us, and we will tell you after the examination whether the schedule is realistic.

Results, the number of visits and schedules vary from person to person. More questions: Visiting from abroad.

Implants and gumsMy gums bleed and my teeth are loose. Can gum treatment save them?→Implants and gumsMy gums have receded. Can they be restored?→Implants and gumsImplants: do I really need one? And if so, who will see it through, how, and to the end?→Porcelain veneers and front teethTeeth whitening: is whitening enough?→OrthodonticsOrthodontics: where and how should I get treatment?→

Treatment results and side effects may vary from person to person.

You can also call first to ask whether you have already used your covered scaling this year

WhatsApp LINE Call +82-2-517-0002 First visit